We asked readers, Should the California Republican Party be more — or less — like the Tea Party?

There’s nothing in middle of road for today’s GOP

I’ve been drifting away from the Republican Party the past eight to 10 years. When the Tea Party came about, I knew I had a home there.

I will not support RINO (Republican in Name Only) candidates for office. There is nothing in the middle of the road except for dead skunks and yellow lines. We have nothing in common with the socialist Democratic Party. Which one of my core values am I supposed to give up? No more go along to get along.

I support the federal shutdown and also not extending the debt limit. The federal government must be trimmed by 20 percent. Let our elected representatives figure it out.

If I wasn’t tied to California financially, I would get out. I have had dozens of friends leave for Utah, Texas and elsewhere.

— Robert M. Beberfall, Upland

Avoiding the center will put Republicans in a ditch

As a card-carrying RINO, let me make a prediction to those on the other side. Your pursuit of the premise that “We don’t need no stinking RINOs, young people, independents, Hispanics and their ilk” is going to result in the Republican Party in California becoming but a footnote in history.

— David O. Powell, Pasadena

State party is serving up diversity — tea included

As a delegate to the Republican Party state convention, I had access to many of the meetings, both public and private. It was the first time the Tea Party had a caucus that was represented.

The Liberty Caucus, Women’s Federated, Log Cabin, Hispanic and Young Republican groups were very well represented. All groups came with great passion and united in our commitment against policies of overreaching and intrusive progressive government that has failed to provide the opportunity and freedom our Founding Fathers envisioned.

We now have a much larger tent with a variety of opinions on social issues. In this, there is room for a healthy dialogue and difference between our candidates. We have candidates who come from every race, class and gender. Like the mother bird pushing its chick out of the nest, it is liberty that allows all of us to soar.

— Stephen C. Smith, Eagle Rock The letter writer is first vice chairman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County

Give the state two parties with broad public support

As the state Republicans appear to like where Tim Donnelly, Kevin McCarthy, Mark Meckler, etc., have taken them (no statewide offices or say in the Legislature), they should definitely become more like the Tea Party. They could then quickly follow the Federalists, Whigs and the rest of the ideologists who shriveled up due to lack of broad support and blew away with the first breeze of reality.

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Getting them out of the way would make it easier for RINOs, traitors, etc., along with the rest of the centrists and right-of-center realists, which includes many Democrats and independents, to form a new party (possibly RINO — Republicans Interested in National Opportunities). This would be one willing to accept officials such as those I have voted for — Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bob Dole and the like. These were adults who were patriots before they were partisans. They accomplished great things, but would be unacceptable to the GOP in California today, whose only achievement has been to make itself irrelevant.

We need two functioning political parties. California currently doesn’t have a second, and at the rate the likes of Eric Cantor, Kevin McCarthy, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and the rest of the “my way or the highway” types are going, soon the country won’t have one either.

— Chris Daly, Yucaipa

Republicans need to shed their big-money image

I could support anyone who seriously backs a constitutional amendment containing these two provisions: Corporations are not people and money is not speech.

The Republicans need to shed their big-money image, and this might do it. Could they rise by supporting government by the people? They couldn’t do worse than they are now.

— Arlette Chew, Lawndale

To touch voters, GOP must reach outside inner circle

The California Republican Party needs to step back and meet with people all over the state. Too much time is spent talking among themselves and participating in the proverbial circular firing squad.

There is a Republican booth at the San Bernardino County Fair and the High Desert Home Shows where people come by and discuss the party at length. The predominant theme has been that the party is not interested in the views of those outside the inner circle. The people are of the opinion that party leaders think that money is the only thing that wins elections.

Over the years, grass-roots campaigns have surprised and defeated the political elite more than once. My advice to the political leaders is to get out into the streets and learn what is really important to the voters and thus enthuse them to take part in the campaigns and vote.